I own nothing.

Lucy stared at the frozen meals. The school would be closed over break and only a few people that lived in the neighborhoods had requested permission to stay on the island while most of the houses would have their electricity reduced to minimal. It conserved energy and helped prevent any fires from snow storms while everyone was away. Most of the stores would be closed for the two weeks of winter break and the ferry would only make the trip to the mainland and back once a day so the grocery store's freezer section had been picked bare.

She started crying. She was on her period which is why cookies and chocolate had been her first stop. The dreams meant she hadn't gotten any sleep and she was resistant to using the sleep potion she'd made after the second night. It was the last day for the stares to be open and she really needed to decide if she was going to go home. Feasibly, she could go home for Yule and then return the following day.

"You know, I'm not sure what crying in the frozen food aisle means."

Lucy jumped and turned to look at the dragon slayer slowly walking up to her. His mannerisms reminded her of someone approaching a feral animal.

"I'm fine," she said, wiping away her tears hastily. "Besides, I'm pretty sure healing magic can't do anything about this."

Cristoff nodded slightly. Given that his brothers had been brooding for the last couple of days since the ritual had happened, he could only imagine what the little blonde was going through.

"What are you still doing here?" she asked while he was musing.

"Finishing up an assignment. I can teleport myself home. You?"

"Trying to decide if I want to deal with going home for break. Someone chose all the flavors I like. Crying over that must seem stupid, huh?"

"Xally, my sister, like to bake her own chocolate when she's on her period. One time, she fell asleep after only eating three of the corner pieces of brownies. Vander wakes up and eats the fourth. She nearly killed him when she found out he'd eaten her corner piece. All while sobbing hysterically.

"I get it."

She giggled, and he smiled at the successful reaction.

"You know, I don't have an answer for you besides my brothers are pretty miserable too. And I give really good hugs."

She let out a wet laugh and launched herself into his arms.